CH. IV.] SMALL TENANTRY. 59 



granted to him. It was stated, that many people go from 

 this district to England, and become small dealers in 

 linen, etc. : when, after some years, they have made a little 

 money, they return, and being anxious to settle, give ex- 

 cessive prices for any little holding, to spend the rest of 

 their life in misery. 



The Commissioners inquired what was the length of 

 leases of the small farms. The reply was, that very 

 often they are let only from year to year, and that it is 

 lawful for the landlord to raise the price of the lease ; 

 but that the peasant, having no other means of subsistence 

 for himself and his family, is not the less anxious to have 

 the land at any price, and that, after his paying the rent by 

 the sale of his oats, he has only a few potatoes left for his 

 subsistence. 



The Commissioners inquired how the small tenants, 

 paying such excessive prices for their farms, are able to 

 maintain their families. 



The answer given in the barony of Kilconnel was as 

 follows : it is never until a year of the lease has elapsed 

 that the rent of the first six months is demanded ; the land- 

 lord takes on account whatever portion of the rent the 

 tenant may be able to offer, and the rest is allowed to re- 

 main over, and is usually paid in labour : those of the 

 small tenants (although holding as much as ten acres) 

 who have an opportunity of paying the entire amount by 

 labour are considered very fortunate; sixpence a day, 

 winter and summer, is the ordinary wages of those con- 

 stantly employed. The small holder pays the highest 

 price for his land at least one-third more than another ; 

 and he can afford to do so, because he can pay by his 

 labour. 



